Courses and mentoring

Crime novelist and creative writing tutor John Dean, who is based in Dumfries and Galloway, has launched an online Crime Fiction Course.

John, author of 18 novels and currently published by London-based The Book Folks, and the creator of DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris, also runs Inscribe Media Ltd, which is based near Castle Douglas and organises the course.

The online course, which runs in eight parts and can begin at a time and date to suit the student, will help writers to improve their technique and improve their chances of being successful, either in competitions or admissions to publishers.

When they enroll, students will be offered ongoing one-to-one feedback on their work, be it short stories or novels.

John, who is a member of the UK-based Crime Writers’ Association, said: “Writing can be a lonely pastime and my aim is to help aspiring writers to improve their technique and improve their chances of being successful in a very competitive market.

“Crime fiction remains hugely popular and, hopefully, I can help aspiring writers to develop their ideas, and because it is online it does not matter where they live.

"In recent years, I have worked with writers from everywhere from Croatia to Australia and New Zealand.”

There is no official certificate of qualification at the end of the course, which will be led by John.

A reminder that, in addition to the various free things we do, one of the paid-for services we offer is one supporting writers.

Why should you hire a professional writing mentor, though?

Isn’t it enough to attend a class/workshop or a writing group? Or ask a friend or relative to comment?

Well, it depends what you want and need and bespoke mentoring from Inscribe Media can help some writers, providing the experience and expertise to -

• understand your work

• nurture you and your writing

• let you retain control of your ideas and your writing

* provide expert, specific advice about what is working and what isn’t.

We focus on major issues, such as how your story hangs together, what your characters are doing or could be doing, what is hurting your story’s momentum, what story elements are not pulling their weight.

We identify the differences between good and great and point out your writing strengths, so you become confident about what not to change.

We also give suggestions and help you establish good processes and writing goals and suggest markets for your work.

If long-term mentoring does not appeal, we run short writing courses as well.

The course will…

What's On - talks, festivals, workshops and courses

Weekend writing workshop – taking inspiration from your surroundings

Fancy writing in a house on a hill? Looking to learn more about how writers draw inspiration from their surroundings? Like to find a peaceful corner of a garden to write? And all with home-cooked meals?

Then a weekend course near Castle Douglas in Dumfries and Galloway in Scotland is for you or your writing group.

Best-selling crime novelist and creative writing tutor John Dean is to run workshops at the 19th Century house on the weekends of July 6/7 and August 24/25, 2019. John, author of 17 novels, currently published by London-based The Book Folks, and the creator of DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris, will run a course based around sense of place.

The cost is £95 per person, including catering, and you can find out more by emailing Inscribe Media Limited, of which John is a director, at deangriss@btinternet.com The course is non-residential but advice can be offered on local B and Bs.

Writing Course with Author John Dean

The course will examine ways in which prose writers, be it those creating short stories or novels, can engage the reader through the creation of intriguing characters and the use of surprise as one of their writing tools. The 10-week course will guide participants through a number of thought-provoking writing exercises, to enhance their skills and inspirations as writers. Beginner writers are welcomed on this course.

Every Friday for 10 weeks | 10:30am – 12:30pm

Crime novelist and creative writing tutor John Dean, who is based in Dumfries and Galloway, has launched an online Crime Fiction Course.

John, author of 16 novels and currently published by London-based The Book Folks, and the creator of DCI John Blizzard and DCI Jack Harris, also runs Inscribe Media Ltd, which is based near Castle Douglas and which is running the courses.

The online course, which runs in eight parts and can begin at a time and date to suit the student, will help writers to improve their technique and improve their chances of being successful, either in competitions or admissions to publishers.

When they enroll, students will be offered ongoing one-to-one feedback on their work, be it short stories or novels.

John, who is a member of the UK-based Crime Writers’ Association, said: “Writing can be a lonely pastime and my aim is to help aspiring writers to improve their technique and improve their chances of being successful in a very competitive market.

“Crime fiction remains hugely popular and, hopefully, I can help aspiring writers to develop their ideas, and because it is online it does not matter where they live. In recent years, I have worked with writers from everywhere from Croatia to Australia and New Zealand.”

There is no official certificate of qualification at the end of the course, which will be led by John.

The course costs £75. For further details you can contact John at deangriss@btinternet.com

Talks

John gives talks on crime writing to organisations ranging from library reading groups and writing groups to men's forums. He also delivers creative writing workshops at venues including arts centres and libraries. He can be contacted on deangriss@btinternet.com

John is one of the new Libraries Champions based in England, Scotland and Wales, appointed by The Crime Writers’ Association in Summer 2018.The trio take over from Ruth Dudley Edwards, the CWA’s very first Libraries Champion. The new champions are…Continue

I have read a number of the Blizzard series on Kindle—Strange Littke Girl,The Railway Man, The Secrets Man and The Long Dead. Got The Latch Man from a third party seller on Amazon. Are there others in the series?

For me, there are plenty of examples of stories which are well written - well-crafted and technically competent. Often, they are very, very good indeed.But they do not always enjoy success, be it winning competitions or catching the eye of…Continue

I am preparing a new course and at the heart of it, as so often, will be the subject of characters.Creating strong characters – not necessarily strong people but well defined characters – is crucial because you can create the finest landscapes, the greatest stories, the most remarkable writing but you can not make your stories live unless you have characters. They are the vehicle that allow you to tell your story.A key consideration is that every character you create should have a job to do -…See More

I am delighted that the dates for the next creative writing course at Kirkudbright Galleries have been announced.Writing Course with Author John DeanJuly 19 @ 10:30 am - September 20 2019 @ 12:30 pm - £65 10 week block Kirkudbright Galleries, Kirkudbright, Dumfries and GallowayThe course will examine ways in which prose writers, be it those creating short stories or…See More